A 520-million-year-old fossilized arthropod has revealed a remarkably well-preserved brain structure, challenging the long-standing debate on the origin of insects. The discovery suggests that complex brains evolved earlier than previously thought and have changed little over time.
A new approach combines pupillography with blinking assessment to measure alertness, sidestepping subjective assessment by healthcare workers. The method has been successfully tested on two groups of volunteers and links blink, pupillary indices and subjective sleepiness.
Researchers created a mouse model reproducing Alzheimer's chemical changes to shed light on spatial memory issues. The study found reduced acetylcholine led to spatial memory deficits and hyperactivity in mice.
A team led by James Liebherr discovered 14 new species of predatory carabid beetles in the Society Islands, expanding the known distribution of the genus Mecyclothorax. The new species have limited geographic distributions and are found at high elevations, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts to maintain biodiversity.
A six-gene signature has been identified that can predict survival in men with aggressive prostate cancer. The test uses blood samples and shows promise for determining the course of action for patients, clinical trial eligibility, and targeted studies.
The New York Stem Cell Foundation has announced funding of $9 million to six new investigators conducting innovative stem cell and neuroscience research. The award will support these researchers as they establish their own laboratories and expand their work.
A new study found that most parents of children are dissatisfied with the way clinicians communicate about suspected adverse drug reactions. Parents were unsure whether a child's reaction to a drug affected future use of the medicine, but those whose children had cancer expressed confidence in their clinicians' explanations.
Stanford researchers used brain scans to scan the brain anatomy of 39 children once a year for three years. The scans revealed that children with above-average reading skills had specific nerve bundle FA values, while those with lower reading skills had high FA values that declined over time.
The LSUHSC School of Nursing Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner Program has been awarded a $700,000 grant to support full-time and part-time students pursuing advanced practice primary care nursing degrees. The grant aims to increase the number of primary care advanced practice nurses and expand access to primary care services.
Researchers at Rice University and MIT developed a thin-film polymer metamaterial that changes color in response to ions, enabling the creation of inexpensive sensors for food spoilage detection, security, and high-contrast displays. The sensors can be tuned to react in specific ways by adjusting the solvent used.
A new life sciences study using 14 years of data on gray wolves in Yellowstone National Park found that cooperative group behavior and a mother's weight are crucial for raising successful offspring. Larger packs tend to get larger and win the 'arms race' of holding territories against competing packs.
Researchers developed a prototype glove that uses vibration feedback to guide users' hands towards target objects, improving search performance by up to three times. The solution enables practical applications such as warehouse navigation and pedestrian guidance.
A mathematical model suggests PrEP can be a cost-effective addition to existing HIV prevention strategies for MSM populations in Lima, Peru. However, significant funding would be required to generate substantial reductions in HIV incidence.
A new study finds that near-misses are perceived as frustrating losses, stimulating the brain's reward systems and promoting addictive behavior. This leads to increased skin conductance responses and a desire to spin again quickly.
A study found that police officers perceived physically attractive women as more guilty in domestic violence cases, whereas unattractive women were seen as less culpable. The researchers suggest that this perception is linked to societal stereotypes of battered women and sexism.
The University of Michigan has been awarded a $21 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish the Center for HIV RNA Studies, which aims to better understand the HIV virus on a molecular level. Researchers hope that this breakthrough could lead to innovative treatment approaches for AIDS and other diseases.
A study published in JAMA found that high plasma levels of proneurotensin are associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and breast cancer in women. The study also found a significant interaction between sex and proneurotensin on the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University discovered that magnesium reduces inflammation by reducing NF-kB activity and subsequent cytokine production. This new insight offers a promising immunotherapeutic strategy for treating diseases such as asthma, atherosclerosis, and sepsis.
A multi-center team of scientists will focus on identifying causes of resistance in advanced prostate cancer and tailoring therapy for patients. The goal is to revolutionize treatment through personalized medicine, sparing unnecessary treatment.
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that Facebook-based STI prevention messages encouraged condom use among young adults, with 68% reporting condom use two months after the intervention. The effects decreased over time but remained significant compared to traditional HIV prevention programs.
Researchers found that patient navigation services significantly decreased the time to diagnosis for female patients with abnormal breast or cervical cancer screening results. The study supports recent standard recommendations for all cancer care centers to provide patient navigation services.
Researchers found mental wellbeing peaks at seven portions a day, with economists and public health experts surprised by the results. The study, published in Social Indicators Research, suggests that increasing fruit and vegetable intake may have a positive impact on psychological well-being.
A study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal found that the Canadian C-spine rule is more accurate than NEXUS in diagnosing important cervical spine injuries. The rule's better diagnostic accuracy and lower rate of false negatives make it a preferable choice for assessing cervical spine imaging needs.
Clemson University researchers will use artificial intelligence and data analytics to enhance coordination in perioperative services at three hospitals. The goal is to develop a more efficient system while maintaining quality of care, addressing the escalating cost of healthcare.
Scientists have discovered an enormous amount of water vapour, enough to fill Earth's oceans over 2000 times, in a gas and dust cloud collapsing into a new Sun-like star. Water was previously detected outside our Solar System as ice coated onto tiny dust grains near active star formation sites.
Joan Claybrook received the 2012 Community Hero award from Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy for her role in lobbying for passage of nation's first auto safety laws. Her work as NHTSA administrator led to establishment of air bag and fuel-economy standards, significantly improving public health.
The ProteoWizard Toolkit allows scientists to easily analyze and share multi-platform mass spectrometry data, a major breakthrough for large-scale biological research. The software is expected to improve the understanding of complex diseases like cancer.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that normalizing the population of protective T regulatory cells in the pancreatic lymph nodes can regenerate insulin-producing beta cells and normalize blood sugar levels in diabetic mice. The study suggests a new approach to confront local autoimmune reactions in type 1 diabetes.
Researchers at University of Guam identify new coral reef-associated alga, Rhipilia coppejansii, in Guam waters. The discovery highlights the island's underestimated marine algal diversity and its cultural significance.
A new study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that adolescent girls participating in a sexual risk reduction intervention were more likely to practice abstinence and showed substantial decreases in unprotected sex, number of partners, and unintended pregnancies. The intervention used age-appropriate games and interact...
Researchers at the University of Iowa Health Care have discovered a new biological pathway that can be targeted to eliminate or reduce severe side effects of diabetes drugs. The study identified the Cullin-3 pathway as key to blood pressure-lowering effects, potentially leading to more specific and effective treatments.
A new MIT study reveals cellular adhesion molecules critical to cancer's metastasis, offering potential new targets for cancer drug therapy. The researchers found that adhesion tendencies of metastatic cells from different primary tumors were similar, suggesting a shared pathway.
Most pregnancy-related infections are caused by four types of treatable conditions: genital tract, urinary tract, soft tissues, and abortion-related infections. Integrating targeted interventions into antenatal care services can help reduce maternal mortality.
The study found that patients treated in states with public reporting of PCI outcomes were less likely to receive a PCI compared to those in non-reporting states. However, there was no difference in overall heart attack survival rates between the two groups.
Qubits can successfully exist in topological superconductor materials despite impurities and strong interactions. Majorana particles provide coherence-protection programs for qubits.
Researchers discover cancerous mRNA's poly(A) tails can evade the body's safeguards, allowing it to escape regulatory mechanisms. This discovery opens up a new avenue for understanding how genes are activated or inactivated without mutations.
A new rearing technique for the parasitoid wasp Habrobracon hebetor has shown promise in conditioning the insects to survive storage at 41 degrees Fahrenheit. This method, which involves simulating reproductive diapause, could give commercial insectaries greater flexibility and reduce costs.
A study published in Health Affairs found that only 5.2% of Medicare beneficiaries chose the least-expensive Part D plan that satisfied their medical needs, resulting in an average annual overspend of $368. Researchers recommend educational programs and assistance to help beneficiaries make informed plan choices.
Researchers discovered a new function of PARP-1 that regulates both DNA damage repair and androgen receptor activity, suggesting that inhibiting this enzyme could slow prostate cancer growth. This finding provides a new approach to treating advanced prostate cancer, which currently has limited treatment options.
Researchers have developed a new method to create carbon nanotube sensors using mechanical pencils, overcoming the need for hazardous solvents. The sensors detect minute amounts of gas by altering electrical current flow through the nanotubes.
UCI researchers found that chronic kidney disease changes the composition of intestinal bacterial microbes, leading to uremic toxins and nutritional abnormalities. Study leader Dr. N.D. Vaziri suggests improving gut microbes through diet and dialysis may improve patient well-being.
A study published in Animal Behaviour found that a hormone similar to oxytocin increases responsiveness to social information and promotes cohesion in fish. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of complex social behaviors in some species.
A computer simulation study found that hospitals working together and coordinating their infection control procedures can significantly reduce the prevalence of MRSA infections. By implementing contact isolation protocols, hospitals can not only improve their own infection control but also benefit neighboring hospitals.
A research team at VIB has identified a new anti-inflammatory mechanism of the protein A20, which can help treat autoimmune diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis. By understanding how A20 interacts with signaling pathways, scientists can develop new therapies to combat inflammation and disrupt the immune system's attack on its own tissues.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin found significant negative consequences of rape and attempted sexual assault in 13 domains of psychological and social functioning. Victims often suffer debilitating effects on self-esteem, social reputation, sexual desire, and self-perceived mate value.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have developed a screening method to identify RNA targets and potential drug compounds. The new technology probes millions of RNA-ligand combinations, enabling the definition of RNA motifs and small molecules that bind to RNA.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a synthetic enzyme that stabilizes drug molecules, making them resistant to breakdown by the human liver. This approach could lead to improved existing drugs and easier production of radioactive tracer versions for medical imaging.
A new DNA sensor has been invented that can detect genetic material in minutes, potentially revolutionizing disease diagnosis. The Silver Nano Cluster DNA probe uses a luminous molecule to bind to specific targets, emitting light only when the target is present.
Researchers have developed a new software system called Hestia that can estimate greenhouse gas emissions across entire urban landscapes. The system combines data from various sources and provides high-resolution maps of CO2 emission sources, enabling policy-makers to guide reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
A University of Illinois professor developed simple contracts to clarify expectations, avoid misunderstandings, and protect farmers and customers in CSAs. The downloadable contracts aim to provide a baseline for successful CSAs.
A new study found that people living in disadvantaged neighborhoods are more likely to engage in problem drinking, with African Americans in low-income areas being at highest risk. The research also reveals racial and gender differences in drinking behavior and consequences, suggesting opportunities for targeted interventions.
A RAND Corporation study identified five causes that underlie the failure of many comparative effectiveness studies to create change, including misaligned financial incentives, ambiguous results, and limited use of decision support tools. The study recommends three approaches to improve the impact of such research, including developing...
A study by Joseph Mazer and Andrew M. Ledbetter found that online self-disclosure and social connection attitudes predict compulsive internet use, leading to poor well-being outcomes. Excessive internet users are motivated by efficiency, not anxiety.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified two small molecule chaperones that can stabilize the defective alpha-NAGAL enzyme, offering hope for developing the first drug treatment for Schindler/Kanzaki disease. These molecules, DGJ and DGJNAc, can increase the amount of functional enzyme in cells.
Global experts weigh in on the H5N1 moratorium, discussing biosafety concerns, dual-use research of concern, and the importance of lifting the ban. Public health experts assess the probability of accidental release from laboratories with advanced security.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have shown that large doses of vitamin C can stimulate bone formation and prevent bone loss in animal models. The study suggests that vitamin C may be a promising therapeutic agent for treating osteoporosis, particularly in developing nations where treatment options are limited.
Researchers found that mother wolves' body weight and pack size play a crucial role in enabling pups to survive and thrive. The study suggests that managers can use information on pack size, female wolf weight, and disease prevalence to set harvest limits and ensure sufficient population growth.
A study published in Psychological Science found that individuals are happier when a self-benefiting option is imposed upon them, as it removes feelings of responsibility for the outcome. This is because having no choice eliminates the conflict between self and others.
Research from Southern Methodist University found that students participating in Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas improved their grades, attendance, and overall GPA. The study suggests that homework support and a sense of success provided by the clubs may be key factors.
Researchers have identified a new therapy that appears to stop inflammation in the eye nerves and spinal cord for patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a debilitating central nervous system disorder. The treatment, eculizumab, was given to patients with severe symptoms, resulting in 12 symptom-free periods and two mild attacks.